By the Grace of G-d 19th of Elul, 5738 Brooklyn, N.Y.

Greeting and Blessing:

Thank you for your letter of the 29th of Av-15th of Elul. I appreciate your thoughtfulness to describe your daughter's marriage and everything connected with it. May G-d grant that the newlyweds should have a truly bright future, and be a source of true Nachas to their parents and relatives and friends.

With regard to what you write about your daughter . . . desire to go to art school I trust you know of my view about what it means for the young students attending art school in terms of the prevailing atmosphere there, regarding Tznius, etc. Even if one can select a department that may be more Tzniusdik, it nevertheless is only one department within the school, and cannot be separated from departments, nor can a student isolate himself or herself from other students, especially as very often the same students attend various departments and the same courses.

The above applies even to a student who lives in a warm Jewish atmosphere at home. Certainly the dangers are so much greater if the student lives away from home, and in another city. There is no need to elaborate on the above to you.

Similarly in regard to your son . . . One should bear in mind that in this country, as in all other countries where there is compulsory education, no Jewish child has an opportunity of spending one single day in an exclusive atmosphere of Torah and learning only Torah, for it is always mixed with so-called secular subjects. And inasmuch as the secular subjects usually take up more time and given more attention, it is easy to see that the Jewish child grows up under the impression that those are the more important subjects.

In light of the above, I strongly believe that it is not only right, but a sacred duty for Jewish parents to give their children, sons and daughters, an opportunity, at least after concluding the period of compulsory education, to devote at least a year or two exclusively to Limudei Kodesh, which should in some measure implant in them the recognition and perception of the vital importance of Torah to a Jew, since the Torah is "our life and the length of our days." All the other sciences can only serve as a means for Parnosso, and can give one a better understanding as natural forces, etc., but cannot teach how a person should live a worthy life with inner peace and harmony with himself and his surroundings, a life of self-fulfillment, which is the basis of true contentment and happiness.

As for the question of Parnosso to which you refer in your letter, I cannot see how a delay of one or two years can materially affect one's prospects. Besides, the essential is that being a whole person and not, G-d forbid, a split personality buffeted by material and spiritual forces, is indispensable in whatever trade or profession a person chooses for Parnosso.

Since I do not know to what extent the above will be accepted, there is no point in my elaborating further on this subject. However, I consider it my duty to share my views with you in the confident hope that you will convey same to your children with the proper sincerity.

May G-d grant that in the blessing of a Kesivo vaChasimo Tovo, that I extend to you and yours, and that Jews wish each other at this time, will be included also the right solution in the above matters and in the fullest measure.

With blessing,

P. S. Just received your letter of Second Day of Selichos, with the enclosure, for which receipt is enclosed herewith.

With regard to the matter of . . . knees, you will surely not limit yourself to the advice of one, or two specialists. And may G-d grant that you should receive the right advice.